the prodigal

Several weeks ago, SharpShooter (my husband) was unloading groceries from the car when a bedraggled cat walking down our snow-covered country road caught his eye. It couldn’t be – could it? “Pippie, is that you?” Upon closer inspection, stooping down to the dirty, scruffy feline, he realized it was indeed, Captain Pip! Years ago, fifteen at least, this black & white cat used to visit him daily in the barn for morning milking of our dairy goats. SS would carry dry cat food from the house in his pocket for Pip and he would squirt milk into the cat’s mouth while he milked! Lo and behold, after not seeing him for years, Captain Pip had come home – dirty, battle-scarred, looking poorly – but home! A can of tuna was opened and a soft, fleecy blanket was placed on the porch rocker. If Pip was going to visit, we saw fit that he would be warm, comfortable and fed. Our resident pet, Sam the dog, was not happy about this at all. He took every opportunity to bark and intimidate this new visitor.

I have many scripture favorites: verses, chapters, books and so on, but this particular parable is by far my favorite and I will explain why. Now, at sixty years of age, I have experienced being each of the characters Jesus used to teach his lesson.

The younger brother…Is this all there is? I’ve been good and followed all the rules and this boring life is all there is? I’ve tried it your way, now I’ll try it mine. I’ve been under your thumb long enough – I am outta here!

Ah…the younger brother; the young faithful wife and mother whose husband was unfaithful; the placed-for-adoption child all grown up wondering, “Why me?”

Sound familiar? Tired of eating with the pigs and playing in the mud? Papa’s waiting. Open arms. New clothes and shoes. New jewelry. GO HOME!

The older brother…Always lived right, never got in trouble. I am never late to work in fact I get there early and leave late and now, passed over for the promotion. I used to do those bad things when I was young but now I’ve changed my ways and so and so should too. Holier than thou. Legalistic. Always right. If the doors are open I’m in church. Here comes the offering plate the person next to me will be impressed to see me put in this one hundred dollar bill.

Sound familiar? Tired of striving? Sick of the stress it takes to be perfect? Papa’s waiting. Open arms. Metal shears to release the shackles of perfection. A flag of freedom. GO HOME!

The father…Raised your kids right? Took them to church? Taught them right from wrong? Set good examples? Asked for forgiveness if you didn’t? Loved unconditionally? Never judged them? Provided well? Went to all their school functions? Helped with all those science projects? I was the best mom/dad and this is how I’m rewarded?

Sound familiar? Go buy some new clothes for that adult child. Get out the family jewels and your best China dinnerware. Go buy all his/her favorite foods and begin planning the comin’ home celebration. Get out those binoculars, they may be “far off”, but just be patient. THEY’RE COMIN’ HOME!

Reader Interactions

Comments

Standing there with an arm full of goodies from the store.. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing… I had to look twice.. When I called out Pippie,he started a slow run down the road toward me… What a mess you are Pip.. We have been waiting for you for along time… Thought you were in Kitty heaven Capt’Pip. Eyes running,blind in one eye, tongue cut into,toenails curled in circles on one foot,burrs in your tail,little cuts and scratches everywhere,and the whole under body matted plus thin as a rail… The road of life can be tough.. He must have been born on Thursday, “Thursdays Kitties have far to go”… Come on Pippie let us get fed for your next adventure… And today he is gone again….. Great Blog Sus, I loved this one…. SharpShooter

I also LOVE this parable!!! Oh how I can relate to poor ole’ dirty, lonely, tired Pip struggling down that road back home, tail between his legs (what was left of it) and full of shame and regret. At one time I had no idea that my Father’s arms were stretched out just waiting for His daughter to come Home. Hallelujah!!!! What overwhelming JOY it is to have such unconditional Love.

Of all your blogs, this is my favorite. It’s like reading The Prodical Son in a new and LIVING—-LIVE—-translation! O, I wonder….could the Father really love us this much…..Jesus loves me…this I know…for the Bible tells me so….

come home from self-opinions
come home from self-absorption
come home from everything that is not of ME, by ME, with ME and for ME
wonderful blog…………thank you

This one has really hit home. Haven’t we all been there, done that, and still our loving Father is ready to take us back, with arms open wide. He loves to pick us up and wipe us off, and just LOVE us again and again. What a blessing this is, it just gives you God Bumps all over. Thank you Susi!!

What a wonderful story…perfect illustration of God’s unconditional love for us…he is always there…arms open…to take us back in…no matter what. Another really good article Susan…Love you and appreciate your ability to put into words…..such blessings for me to read.

Thank you Victoria for reading and commenting. I am going to spend some time later this afternoon, with a hot cup of tea, over at your place, http://HisHeartHers.com Looks like your journey has been rough… Thanks again, we bloggers need all the support we can get!

Leslie, after that visit “home” we have never seen Captain Pip again – we are convinced he came by to say good-bye to his barn friend, my hubs! We do keep a canister of dry cat food in the pantry “just in case.” 😉